I recently wrote about how yoga has changed my life. In that same article, I promised to share more of this journey with you. Self-esteem has been an issue throughout my life. I wasn’t the most joyful teenager in high school and as a young adult I was often dipping into bouts of depression. I’ve slowly learned that one must accept the self on the outside by finding peace on the inside.
Other forms of exercise besides yoga are easily capable of contributing to a healthy mind and body esteem; however, yoga has worked best for me. I believe that the deeper meditative aspects of yoga help one find resolve to become healthy. The physical aspects reinforce that commitment to health can lead to a more mobile and healthy body. Like I said before, sticking with any form of exercise can lead to similar results. However, yoga helps things along by encouraging detachment from vanity and materialism, perhaps leading to a more selfless appreciation of the self.
Stumbling blocks occur daily. Although I have lost at least five pounds over the past few months, I still find myself unhappy with sections of my body. I’m surprised when people say that I’m in good shape. This attachment to becoming “perfect” can be an unhealthy side effect of working out on a regular basis. I have noticed that when I am able to let go of the desire to fall under fashion industry standards, I am generally much more content. I guess the motto here is to work what you can, but accept yourself along the way.
I do feel great most of the time, though. I feel more confident in my clothes and in my own skin. Teaching yoga has made me become ten times less self-conscience about my body by default; when I’m teaching I can’t be worried about what my behind looks like in front of the 30 people looking at me – I can only think about demonstrating a pose properly and making sure that the students are in proper alignment. I hope that sharing this will encourage others to find contentment with themselves.
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